Ernest Dye Jr. brought veteran, all-conference production to SIU’s left tackle spot
Dye’s calling card was steady, high-level reliability: in the 2019 season, he started all 12 games at left tackle and earned **2nd-Team All-MVFC** honors, while also being a two-time MVFC Offensive Lineman of the Week.[1] At 6'1" and 297 pounds, he was notable for overcoming the usual size stereotype at tackle and still holding down a premium blindside role, which points to leverage, technique, and toughness rather than just raw length.[3][4] He also came from a football family—his father played at South Carolina and in the NFL—adding pedigree and likely line IQ.[1]
